Common Infectious Common Infectious Diseases of ChildrenDiseases of ChildrenPresented by APIC San Antonio

Common TermsCommon TermsSusceptible Host: A person capable of

becoming infected

Causative Agent: The germ (bacteria, virus, parasite) that causes a disease

Common TermsCommon TermsIncubation Period: The time frame

from exposure to development of symptoms

Transmission Route: The method by which a causative agent infects a susceptible host (Contact, Droplet, Airborne)

Hand HygieneHand HygieneResident and Transient organisms

◦Resident organisms – bacteria that stay on the skin. They cannot be removed completely, but their numbers can be reduced.

◦Transient Organisms – Organisms that we pick up from other people and the environment around us. These organisms can cause serious infections. They can be removed by performing hand hygiene.

Hand HygieneHand HygieneThe single most important way to

prevent the spread of infection!

Two methods: Soap and Water or with Alcohol Hand Rubs

Hand HygieneHand HygieneSoap and Water vs. Alcohol Hand Rubs

• Physically removes germs from hands

•Takes over a minute to do properly

•Should be used when hands are visibly soiled

•Can cause skin irritation

• Kills germs on the skin

•Takes about 15 - 20 seconds to do properly

•Should not be used when hands are visibly soiled

•Some products improve skin condition

Hand Hygiene How ToHand Hygiene How ToSoap and Water

◦Turn on water and wet your hands◦Apply soap and rub hand together to

create a lather◦Scrub all surfaces of your hands for at

least 15 seconds◦Rinse soap from hands◦Dry hands with clean paper towel (if

possible)◦Use paper towel to turn off sink and

open door

Hand HygieneHand HygieneAlcohol based hand rubs

◦Place a dime sized amount in palm◦Rub hands together, covering all

surfaces◦Allow hands to dry completely before

touching surfaces

Look for a product that contains skin conditioners

Antibiotic UsageAntibiotic UsageMain Causes of Disease in Children

◦Bacteria◦Viruses◦Fungi◦Parasites

Antibiotics are only effective against Bacteria! Other medications might be needed for a different type of infection.

Antibiotic UsageAntibiotic UsageWhat harm can result from use of

antibiotics when they have no benefit?

◦Many antibiotics have side effects, including upset stomach and diarrhea

◦Using antibiotics with viral infections increases child’s risk for future infections with Multi-drug resistant Organisms (MDROs)

Antibiotic UsageAntibiotic UsageWhat are MDROs?

◦Multi-Drug Resistant organisms are bacteria that cannot be killed by many antibiotics

◦Infections with these bacteria are difficult to treat; children (and adults) with these infections can become very ill

Antibiotic UsageAntibiotic UsageWhy are MDROs a major concern?

◦The number of MDRO infections has been increasing for the last several years

◦This growth of drug resistance can be slowed by appropriately using antibiotics

Rash and Skin DiseasesRash and Skin DiseasesChickenpoxStaphylococcus (MSSA and MRSA)ScabiesMeaslesRubellaRing WormFifth DiseaseImpetigo

ChickenpoxChickenpox

ChickenpoxChickenpox

Symptoms: Fever, blister-like rash on the face, scalp and trunk. Severe cases can develop brain swelling or pneumonia.

Transmission: ◦Causative agent: Varicella Zoster Virus ◦Incubation Period: 10-21 days ◦Transmission Route: Airborne and

Contact

ChickenpoxChickenpoxPrevention: Vaccination! Two doses,

first at 12-15 months, second at 4-6 years

Treatment: Calamine lotion and colloidal oatmeal bath may help relieve hitching. Use non aspirin medication to relieve fever. Severe cases may receive anti-viral drugs.

MRSAMRSA

MRSAMRSASymptoms: Red, swollen, extremely

painful bumps. May contain pus or other drainage. Often mistaken for spider bite.

Transmission◦Causative agent: Methicillin

Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus◦Incubation Period: Days to Weeks◦Transmission: Contact

MRSAMRSAPrevention: Hand Hygiene, cleaning

“high risk” surfaces (sports equipment, bathrooms, toys), keeping open wounds clean, not sharing personal items; covering wounds securely for contact with others

Treatment: A physician may prescribe

antibiotics. Wound may need to be drained (don’t do it yourself!)

ScabiesScabies

ScabiesScabiesSymptoms: Severe itching, especially

at night. Pimple-like or tunneled rash on wrist, elbows, armpits, genitals, or buttocks

Transmission: ◦Causative Agent: Sarcoptes scabiei

var. hominis, the human itch mite◦Incubation Period: 4-6 weeks◦Transmission: Contact

ScabiesScabies

ScabiesScabiesPrevention: Avoid contact with

infected individuals or with items such as clothing or bedding used by an infested person

Treatment: Scabicides, only available by prescription. All members of a household should be treated

Measles (Rubeola)Measles (Rubeola)

Measles (Rubeola)Measles (Rubeola)Symptoms: Blotchy rash, fever,

cough, runny nose, “run down” feeling

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Measles virus◦Incubation Period: 7-14 days◦Transmission: Airborne, 4 days

before symptoms

Measles (Rubeola)Measles (Rubeola)Prevention: Vaccination! First dose

12-15 months, second dose 4-6 years

Treatment: Many cases will receive symptom care at home. Severe cases may require hospitalization.

Rubella (German Measles)Rubella (German Measles)

Rubella (German Measles)Rubella (German Measles)Symptoms: Rash and fever, disease is

relatively mild (significant risk to infant if transmitted to pregnant women)

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Rubella Virus◦Incubation Period: 14-21 days◦Transmission: Droplet

Rubella (German Measles)Rubella (German Measles)Prevention: Vaccination! First dose

12-15 months, second dose 4-6 years

Treatment: Symptom relief

Ring WormRing Worm

Ring WormRing WormSymptoms: Round, red, itchy area with

clear center. Hair loss may occur.

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Dermatophytes◦Incubation Period: 4-14 days◦Transmission: Contact with infected

persons or animals. Clothing, bedding and towels can also spread the infection.

Ring WormRing WormPrevention: Good hand hygiene, avoid

sharing items like hair brushes, hats and clothing that have touched affected areas

Treatment: Topical anti-fungals

Fifth DiseaseFifth Disease

Fifth DiseaseFifth DiseaseSymptoms: “Slapped Cheek” rash,

rash on trunk and arms/legs, mild fever

Transmission◦Causative agent: Parvovirus B19◦Incubation Period: 4-14 days◦Transmission: Droplet

Fifth DiseaseFifth DiseasePrevention: Hand hygiene and cough

etiquette (cover your cough) are the best methods for preventing infection.

Treatment: There is no specific treatment for Fifth disease. The rash and fever will go away after a couple days.

Risk to infant for pregnant women.

ImpetigoImpetigo

ImpetigoImpetigoSymptoms: Small yellow blisters or

scabs, often on the face and other frequently touched skin surfaces

Transmission◦Causative Agents: Group A

Streptococcus, Staphylococcus◦Incubation Period: 1-3 days◦Transmission: Direct contact with

infected sores

ImpetigoImpetigoPrevention: Hand hygiene and cough

etiquette (cover your cough)

Treatment: Antibiotics are available by prescription

Respiratory DiseasesRespiratory DiseasesInfluenzaCommon ColdTuberculosisPertussisRSV

InfluenzaInfluenza

InfluenzaInfluenzaSymptoms: Fever, cough, sore throat,

body aches, runny nose, headache

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Influenza virus◦Incubation Period: 2-4 days◦Transmission: Droplet

InfluenzaInfluenzaPrevention: Vaccination! One shot or

nasal mist per year (after initial 2 doses). Check with your physician for age limits.

Treatment: Symptom management. Severe cases may receive antivirals.

Common ColdCommon Cold

Common ColdCommon ColdSymptoms: Runny nose, nasal

congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, mild headache and body ache

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Rhinovirus◦Incubation Period: 2-5 days◦Transmission: Droplet

Common ColdCommon ColdPrevention: Hand hygiene and cough

etiquette (cover your cough). Avoid contact with people who have upper respiratory infections.

Treatment: Symptom management

Tuberculosis (TB)Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis (TB)Tuberculosis (TB)Symptoms: Bloody cough, fever, chills,

night sweats, weight loss

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Mycobacterium

tuberculosis◦Incubation Period: Months to years◦Transmission: Airborne

Tuberculosis (TB)Tuberculosis (TB)Prevention: Avoid contact with high-

risk populations or infected individuals. (Vaccine is available, but not used in the U.S.)

Treatment: Antibiotics. Treatment lasts for 4-9 months.

Pertussis (Whooping Pertussis (Whooping Cough)Cough)

Pertussis (Whooping Pertussis (Whooping Cough)Cough)Symptoms: Begins like common old,

but severe coughing begins 1-2 weeks later.

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Bordetella

pertussis◦Incubation Period: 7-10 days◦Transmission: Droplet

Pertussis (Whooping Pertussis (Whooping Cough)Cough)Prevention: DTaP vaccine. Children

should get 5 doses of DTaP, one dose at each of the following ages: 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months and 4-6 years

Treatment: Antibiotics

Risk: Severe disease can result

RSVRSV

RSVRSVSymptoms: Similar to common cold,

“wheezing” during breathing

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Respiratory

Syncytial Virus◦Incubation Period: 4-6 days◦Transmission: Droplet, Contact

RSVRSVPrevention: Hand Hygiene, Cough

Etiquette (cover your cough). Medication is available to prevent severe illness in high risk infants.

Treatment: Symptom management

Blood Borne DiseasesBlood Borne DiseasesHIV/AIDSHepatitis BHepatitis C

HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDSSymptoms: Early symptoms are vague and

flu-like. Later symptoms include chronic infections, purplish lesions, weight loss and extreme fatigue.

Transmission◦ Causative Agent: Human

Immunodeficiency virus◦ Incubation Period: HIV: 2-4 weeks

AIDS: 2 weeks-20 years◦ Transmission: Mother to child during birth

HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDSPrevention: Avoid high-risk behaviors

such as IV drug use and unprotected sex

Treatment: Antiretroviral for mom and baby

Hepatitis BHepatitis B

Hepatitis B/CHepatitis B/CSymptoms: Most children are

asymptomatic, some may have jaundice

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Hepatitis Virus B/C◦Incubation Period: Hep B: approx. 90

days Hep C: 1-3 months◦Transmission: Mother to child

Hepatitis B/CHepatitis B/CPrevention: Hep B: Vaccination, 3 doses given 1

and 6 months apart Hep C: Avoiding high risk behaviors

such as IV drug use and unprotected sex

Treatment: There is no treatment for

acute infection. Chronic infection can be managed with antivirals.

DiarrheaDiarrheaBacterial

Viral

DiarrheaDiarrheaSymptoms: Abdominal cramps, loose

watery stool

Transmission:◦Causative agent: Bacteria and

viruses◦Incubation period: Hours to weeks◦Transmission: Mostly fecal-oral

DiarrheaDiarrheaPrevention: Avoid contaminated water

(swimming pools), use good hand hygiene and proper food handling. Vaccine available for Rotavirus.

Treatment: Antibiotics or anti-parasitics for severe cases

Important BacteriaImportant BacteriaSalmonella, Shigella and

Campylobacter, E. coli◦Found mainly on contaminated

meats◦Can be avoided by thorough cooking

Staphylococcus spp.◦Found mainly in contaminated “hand

made” dishes◦Can be avoided with proper hand

hygiene and refrigeration

Important VirusesImportant VirusesRotavirus, Norovirus, Adenovirus,

Hepatitis A

All are spread by the fecal-oral route, adenovirus can also be spread by the droplet

Other DiseasesOther DiseasesStrep/Scarlet FeverMeningitisMumpsLiceConjunctivitisMononucleosisOtitis Media

Strep/Scarlet FeverStrep/Scarlet Fever

Strep/Scarlet FeverStrep/Scarlet FeverSymptoms: Red rash, fever, sore

throat, swollen glands. The tongue may have a "strawberry"-like appearance , a whitish coating and appear swollen

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Streptococcus

group A◦Incubation Period: 1- 3 days◦Transmission: Contact and Droplet

Strep/Scarlet FeverStrep/Scarlet FeverPrevention: Hand Hygiene, avoid

sharing utensils with sick individuals

Treatment: Antibiotics

MeningitisMeningitis

MeningitisMeningitisSymptoms: Fever, headache, stiff neck,

rash in severe cases

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Viral – Enterovirus, Measles, Mumps, Chickenpox Bacterial – N. meningitidis, S.

pneumoniae, H influenzae, Group B Strep◦ Incubation Period: 3-7 days◦Transmission: Droplet and Contact

MeningitisMeningitisPrevention: Vaccination is available for

N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae, Measles, Mumps, and Chickenpox

Treatment: Antibiotics are available for bacterial infections

MumpsMumps

MumpsMumpsSymptoms: Fever, headaches, muscle

aches, swollen glands under the ears or jaw

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Myxovirus

parotiditis◦Incubation Period: 16-18 days◦Transmission: Droplet/contact

MumpsMumpsPrevention: Vaccination! First dose

12-15 months, second dose 4-6 years; Respiratory Etiquette; Hand Hygiene.

Treatment: Symptom Management

LiceLice

LiceLiceSymptoms: Itching or tickling

sensation on the scalp, especially when trying to sleep.

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Pediculus capitis◦Incubation Period: 4-6 weeks◦Transmission: Contact

LiceLicePrevention: Avoid sharing hats,

clothing, bedding or hair accessories among children. Wash sheets/linen often.

Treatment: Over the counter shampoos that kill lice. Prescription treatments are available if over the counter treatments are not effective.

ConjunctivitisConjunctivitis

ConjunctivitisConjunctivitisSymptoms: Red itchy eyes, drainage

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Several Bacteria

and Viruses◦Incubation Period: 2 -10 days◦Transmission: Contact

ConjunctivitisConjunctivitisPrevention: Hand Hygiene. Avoid

contact with infected individuals

Treatment: Antibiotic drops or ointment for bacterial infections. Symptom management for viral infections

MononucleosisMononucleosis

MononucleosisMononucleosisSymptoms: Fever, sore throat, and

swollen lymph glands

Transmission◦Causative Agent: Epstein-Barr Virus◦Incubation Period: 4-7 weeks◦Transmission: Contact with saliva

MononucleosisMononucleosisPrevention: Hand hygiene. Avoid

sharing drinks, utensils, and lip makeup with others

Treatment: Symptom management

Otitis Media (Ear Otitis Media (Ear Infections)Infections)

Otitis Media (Ear Otitis Media (Ear Infections)Infections)Symptoms: Pain, pus draining from

ear, redness of ear drums, irritability, pulling on the ear

Transmission◦Causative Agent: A variety of

Bacteria/Viruses◦Incubation Period: 4-7 days◦Transmission: Typically occurs after

an upperrespiratory infection

Otitis Media (Ear Otitis Media (Ear Infections)Infections)Prevention: Keep up to date on

immunizations, avoid second hand smoke and heavy air pollution

Treatment: Antibiotics may be given.

Symptoms may be managed with over the counter pain medication

Questions?Questions?